Reciprocating solenoid motor



June 13, 1967 w, BOYER 3,325,660

RECIPROCATING SOLENOID MOTOR Filed May .l, 1964 INVENTOR. RAYMOND W. BOYER 38 fiy z ATTORNEY United States Patent RECIPROCATING SOLENOID MOTOR Raymond W. Boyer, Greene County, Ohio, assignor, by direct and mesne assignmerfitghto Airfab, Inc., Waynesville Ohio acor orationo i0 Filed Ma zi, 1964, Ser. N0. 369,160

Claims. (Cl. 310-75) This invention relates to motor apparatus. The invention relates more particularly to rotary actuator type of motor apparatus.

An object of this invention is to provide motor apparatus or actuator apparatus which is capable of rotatl fi operation through a desired angle which is usually less than 360 degrees.

Another object of this invention is to provide a rotary type of solenoid apparatus in which the highly desirable pull-type of linear solenoid action is employed.

Another object of this invention is to provide such rotary actuator apparatus which is very efficient in operation and which is capable of performing a large amount of work in consideration of the physical size thereof.

Another object of this invention is to provide rotary actuator apparatus which is reliable in operation and 1S long-lived. 1 Other objects and advantages reside in the construction of parts, the combination thereof, the method of manufacture, and the mode of operation, as will become more apparent from the following description.

In the drawings:

- 7 FIGURE 1 is an exploded perspective view of motor apparatus of this invention.

' FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the motor apparatus of FIGURE 1.

. FIGURE 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially on line 33 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view similar to FIGURE 3 .but showing the apparatus in another position of operation. Referring to the drawings in detail, motor apparatus .of this invention comprises a magnetizable core 10 which may include a plurality of laminations, as shown, have all portions thereof integral. The cores 10 has a leg .12 and a leg 14, the leg 14 being longer than the leg 12. The legs 12 and 14 are shown as being substantially parallel and are joined together by a connector portion 16. The leg 12 may be integral with or otherwise connected to the connector portion 16. An end of the leg 12 has an arcuate surface 18.

The leg 14 has an arcuate surface 20 spaced from the connector portion 16. The leg 14 also has an intermediate portion 22 which is provided with an engagement surface 24. Also, the intermediate portion 22 has an extension portion 26. j An insulating spool 30 carries a coil 32 of electric conductor material. Connector means (not shown) are joined to the coil 32 for energization thereof. The spool 30 encompasses the intermediate portion 22 so that energization of the coil 32 magnetizes the core 10.

' On each of the opposite sides of the core 10 a side frame member 38 is disposed. Each side frame member 38 has a window 40, shown in FIGURE 1, through which the spool 30 and the coil 32 extend, as shown in FIGURE 2. The 'two side frame members 38 are secured together by bolt or screw members 42, which extend through the side frame members 38 and through the core 10, as shown in FIGURE 1. Each side frame member 38 has a mounting flange 43 provided with mounting holes 45.

A shaft 44 extends through the side frame members 38 and is journalled therein in any suitable manner for rotation with respect thereto. The shaft 44 supports a genor may I 3,325,660 Patented June 13, 1967 erally -C-shaped magnetizable armature member 46. The armature 46 may be keyed to the shaft 44 by means of a key 48 partially disposed within the shaft 44 and within a slot 50 of the armature 46, as shown in FIGURE 1, so that the shaft 44 and the armature 46 rotatively move One with the other.

The armature 46 joins the arcuate end surface 20 of the leg 14 to the arcuate end surface 18 of the leg 12.

The C-shaped armature 46 has an arm 51 provided with an arcuate end surface 52 which is shown as being very closely spaced with respect to the arcuate surface 20 of the leg 14 of the core 10. The arcuate surface 52 is generated about a focal axis which is coaxial with the axis of rotation of the shaft 44. The C-shaped armature 46 has an arcuate arm 56 provided with an arcuate surface 58. The arcuate surface 58 is generated about a focal axis which is coaxial with the axis of rotation of the shaft 44. The arcuate surface 58 of the arm 56 is shown as being very closely spaced with respect to the arcuate surface 18 of the leg 12. Thus, the armature 46 extends between the end surface 18 of the leg 12 and the end surface 20 of the leg 14.

The armature 46 is pivotally movable to position the arm 56 of the armature 46 within the spool 30, as shown in FIGURE 4. The arm 56 has an end surface 60 which is engageable with the engagement surface 24 of the intermediate portion 22 of the leg 14- in the manner shown in FIGURE 4. The armature 46 is also pivotally movable to position the end surface 60 of the arm 56 adjacent the leg 12 in the manner shown in FIGURE 3.

Any suitable means may be used to normally retain the armature 46 in the pivotal position thereof shown in FIGURE 3. Herein a helical spring 64 is shown as having an end 65 thereof within a slot 66 of the shaft 44 and an end 68 Within a hole 70 of one of the side frame members 38. The helical spring 64 thus urges clockwise rotative movement of the armature 46 to the position thereof shown in FIGURE 3. Any suitable means, not shown, may be used to limit the clockwise rotative movement of the armature 46 to that shown in FIGURE 3.

When the coil 32 is energized, the core 10 is magnetized. Thus, the armature 46 is magnetized. With such magnetization a magnetic circuit is provided through the small space between the leg 12 of the core 10 and the arm 56 of the armature 46.

Also, a magnetic circuit is provided through the small space between the armature 46 and the leg 14 of the core 10. Thus, due to the fact that the armature 46 provides means for completing the magnetic circuit between the arcuate end surface 18 of the surface 20 of the leg 14, an excellent magnetic circuit exists through the core 10 and the armature 46 upon energization of the coil 32. Thus, the arm 56 of the armature 46 is readily magnetically drawn from the position thereof shown in FIGURE 3 to the position thereof shown in FIGURE 4. The extension portion 26 of the intermediate portion 22 aids in providing a good magnetic circuit between the arm 56 and the intermediate portion 22 of the leg 14 of the core 16 as the arm 56 is drawn toward the engagement surface 24.

Of course, the small space between the arm 56 of the armature 46 and the arcuate end surface 18 of the leg 12 of the core 10 continuously exists, regardless of the rotative position of the armature 46. Also, the small space between the leg 14 of the core 10 and the arm 51 of the armature 46 continuously exists regardless of the rotative position of the armature 46. Thus, there is an excellent magnetic circuit provided at all times through the core 10 and through the armature 46. Thus, the rate of response of movement of the armature 46 is excellent and the work which may be obtained by movement of the armature 46 is high in consideration of the physical size of the apparatus.

leg 12 and the arcuate end Any suitable load may be attached to the shaft 44 for rotative movement thereby with rotative movement of the armature 46 from the position thereof shown in FIGURE 3 to the position thereof shown in FIGURE 4. Such movement of the armature 46 from the position thereof shown in FIGURE 3 to the position thereof shown in FIGURE 4 is against the forces of the helical spring 64.

After deenergization of the coil 32, the core and the armature 46 are substantially de-magnetized so that the spring 64 rotatively moves the armature 46 from the position thereof shown in FIGURE 4 to the position thereof shown in FIGURE 3.

Although the preferred embodiment of the device has been described, it will be understood that within the purview of this invention various changes may be made in the form, details, proportion and arrangement of parts, the combination thereof and mode of operation, which generally stated consist in a device capable of carrying out the objects set forth, as disclosed and defined in the appended claims.

The invention having thus been described, the following is claimed:

1. Actuator apparatus comprising:

a magnetizable core, the core having a longer leg portion and a shorter leg portion, the leg portions being substantially parallel and being joined by a connector portion,

the longer leg portion having an engagement portion intermediate the ends thereof, the engagement portion extending toward the shorter leg portion,

a generally C-shaped magnetizable member pivotally disposed adjacent the longer leg portion at a position spaced from the connector portion of the core, the C-shaped magnetizable member having a plurality of pivotal positions, the C-shaped magnetizable member having an arcuate portion adjacent the shorter leg portion of the magnetizable core and slightly spaced therefrom in all pivotal positions of the C-shaped magnetizable member, the arcuate portion of the C-shaped magnetizable member having an engagement part which is positionable adjacent the shorter leg portion at one pivotal position of the C-shaped magnetizable member, the C-shaped magnetizable member being pivotally movable so that the engagement part of the arcuate portion thereof engages the engagement portion of the longer leg portion,

an annular coil of electrically conductive material encompassing the engagement portion of the longer leg portion for magnetization of the core, the end part of the arcuate portion of the C-shaped magnetizable member thus being disposed within the annular coil when the engagement part of the arcuate portion of the C-shaped magnetizable member engages the engagement portion of the longer leg portion ofthe magnetizable core.

2. Motor means comprising:

a magnetizable core, the core being provided with a longer leg and a shorter leg, the legs being spaced one from the other and joined by a connector portion, the longer leg having an arcuate recessed surface spaced from the connector portion, the longer leg having an engagement portion intermediate the connector portion and the arcuate recessed surface,

a coil of electric conductor material encompassing the engagement portion of the longer leg and energizable to magnetize the core,

a generally C-shaped magnetizable member having an arcuate end portion pivotally supported adjacent the arcuate recessed surface of the longer leg so that there is a slight space between the arcuate recessed surface and the arcuate end portion of the C-shaped member, the C-shaped member having an arcuate part which is slightly spaced from the shorter leg of the core, the arcuate part of the C-shaped member having an engagement surface, the C-shaped member 4 being pivotally movable so that the engagement surface of the arcuate part thereof engages the engagement portion of the longer leg of the core, the C-shaped member also being pivotally movable so that the engagement surface of the arcuate part thereof is adjacent the shorter leg of the core.

3. Actuator apparatus comprising:

a magnetizable core provided with a shorter leg and a longer leg which are joined by a connector portion,

a generally C-shaped magnetizable member having a part pivotally disposed in closely spaced relationship to the longer leg and in spaced relationship from the shorter leg, the C-shaped member having an arcuate part which is in closely spaced relationship to the shorter leg, the arcuate part having an end surface,

the longer leg of the core having a protuberant portion provided with an engagement surface which is engageable by the end surface of the arcuate part of the C-shaped member by pivotal movement of the C-shaped member, the C-shaped member also being pivotally movable to position the end surface of the arcuate part of the C-shaped member adjacent the shorter leg, the arcuate part of the C-shaped member having a portion at all times in closely spaced relationship with respect to the shorter leg,

and electric conductor coil means encompassing the protuberant portion of the longer leg of the core and energizable to magnetize the core and the C-shaped member for pivotal movement of the C-shaped member with respect to the core.

4. Motor apparatus comprising:

a magnetizable core provided with a longer leg and a shorter leg, the legs being spaced apart and substantially parallel, the legs being joined by a connector portion adjacent one end of each of the legs,

the longer leg having an arcuate recessed surface which is spaced from the shorter leg, the arcuate recessed surface of the longer leg being generated about a given axis,

a generally C-shaped magnetizable member pivotally disposed adjacent the arcuate recessed surface of the longer leg,

the axis about which the C-shaped member is pivotal being coaxial with the given axis of the arcuate recessed surface of the longer leg,

the C-shaped member having an arcuate surface which is closely adjacent the arcuate recessed surface of the longer leg, the arcuate surface of the C-shaped member being generated about a focal axis which is coaxial with the pivotal axis of the C-shaped member,

the shorter leg of the core having an arcuate recessed end surface which is generated about a focal axis which is coaxial with the pivotal axis of the C-shap'ed member,

the C-shaped member having a movable portion provided with an arcuate surface which is closely spaced with respect to the arcuate recessed end surface of the shorter leg of the core, the arcuate surface of the movable portion of the C-shaped member being generated about a axis which is coaxial with the pivotal axis of the C-shapcd member, I

the longer leg having a protuberant portion provided with an engagement surface,

the movable portion of the C-shaped member having an end surface which is engageable with the engagement surface of the protuberant portion of the longer leg, the C-shaped member being pivotal to position the end surface of the movable portion thereof adjacent the arcuate recessed end surface of the shorter leg, a part of the arcuate surface of the movable portion of the C-shaped member being at all times closely spaced with respect to the arcuate recessed end surface of the shorter leg,

a coil of electric conductor material encompassing the protuberant portion of the longer leg of the magnetizable core and energizable to magnetize the core.

' 5; Actuator apparatus comprising:

a core of magnetizable material, the core having an end surfaee,-the core having an engagement portion spaced from the end surface and angular with respect thereto,

a magnetizable armaturehaving a part pivotally mounted adjacent a portion of the core which is spaced from the end surface and which isspaced from the engagement portion,

the armatureihaving an arm which is closely spaced with respect to the end surface of the core, the core being pivotally movable throughout a given angle of movement, the arm of the core being engageable with the engagement portion of the core, the arin being at substantially the same close spacing fromthe end surface of the core throughout pivotal movement of the armature,

and electrically energizable coil means encompassing the engagement portion of the core for magnetization of the core and armature.

6. Motor apparatus comprising:

a magnetizable core provided with a pair of spacedapart portions, the magnetizable core also having an engagement portion,

each of the spaced-apart portions of the core having a surface,

a magnetizable armature pivotal about an axis adjacent the core, the magnetizable armature extending between said surfaces of the spaced-apart portions of the core in every pivotal position of the armature,

the armature having an abutment portion which is abuttingly engageable with the engagement portion of the core at. one pivotal position of the armature,

and electric conductor means encompassing the engagement portion of the magnetizable core and energizable to magnetize the core and the armature for pivotal movement of the armature with respect to the core to cause engagement between the abutment portion of the armature and the engagement portion of the core.

7. Actuator apparatus comprising:

a magnetizable core, the core being provided with a first arcuate end surface, the magnetizable core also having a second arcuate end surface, the first arcuate end surface being generated about the same axis as the second arcuate end surface, the magnetizable core also having an intermediate portion provided with an engagement surface,

side frame means adjacent the magnetizable core,

a magnetizable armature provided with a pair of arms, the first arm of the armature having an arcuate end surface closely adjacent the first arcuate end surface of the magnetizable core, the first arm being supported by the side frame means, the first arm being pivotal about an axis which is coaxial with the axis about which the arcuate end surfaces are generated,

the second arm of the armature having an arcuate surface which is generated about the same axis as the arcuate surfaces of the magnetizable core, the arcuate surface of the second arm of the armature being closely spaced with respect to the second arcuate end surface of the magnetizable core,

the armature being pivotal throughout a given angle of pivotal movement, the second arm of the armature being engageable with the engagement surface of the intermediate portion of the magnetizable core, the arcuate surface of the second arm being at substantially the same closely spaced distance from the second arcuate end surface of the magnetizable core while the magnetizable core is in any pivotal position thereof,

'and electric conductor means encompassing the inter- ,mediate portion of the magnetizable core and energizable for magnetization of the magnetizable core.

8. Motor apparatus comprising:

a magnetizable core provided with a pair of legs which are spaced apart and substantially parallel and which are joined by a connector portion, one of the legs being a longer leg and the other leg being a shorter leg, each of the legs having an end portion, the longer leg of the core having an engagement portion intermediate the ends thereof and spaced from the shorter leg,

a pivotally mounted magnetizable armature extending between said end portions of the legs, the armature being pivotal throughout a given angle of movement, the armature having portions which are closely spaced with respect to each of the legs throughout the complete angle of pivotal movement of the armature,

the armature having a part which is engageable with the engagement portion of the longer leg and movable toward and away from the engagement por tion of the longer leg,

and electric conductor means encompassing the engagement portion of the longer leg of the core for magnetization thereof.

9. Actuator apparatus comprising:

a magnetizable core, the core having a shorter leg and a longer leg which are in substantially parallel relationship and which are joined at one end thereof by a connector portion, the shorter leg being substantially one half the length of the longer leg,

the longer leg having a protuberant portion at substantially the midportion thereof, the protuberant portion having an engagement surface, the engagement surface facing the shorter leg, the longer leg having an extension portion adjacent the protuberant portion and extending toward the shorter leg,

support means adjacent the magnetizable core,

a rotatable shaft supported by the support means, the shaft being substantially normal to the legs of the magnetizable core and adjacent the end of the longer leg which is opposite the connector portion,

a magnetizable armature carried by the shaft for rotation therewith, the armature having a portion adjacent the end of the longer leg which is opposite the connector portion of the core, the armature also having a portion adjacent the end of the shorter leg which is opposite the connector portion of the core, the armature having a portion which is engageable with the engagement surface of the protuberant portion of the longer leg,

electric conductor means encompassing the protuberant portion and the extension portion of the longer leg and energizable to magnetize the core.

10. Actuator apparatus comprising:

a magnetizable core, the core being provided with a first arcuate end surface, the core also having a second arcuate end surface, both of the arcuate end surfaces being generated about the same axis, the core also having an engagement surface intermediate the arcuate surfaces,

a magnetizable armature provided with a pair of arms, there being a first arm and a second arm, the first arm of the armature having an arcuate end surface closely adjacent the second arcuate end surface of the core, the first arm being pivotal about an axis which is coaxial with the axis about which the first and second arcuate end surfaces are generated,

the second arm of the armature having an arcuate surface which is generated about the same axis as the arcuate surfaces of the core, the arcuate surface of the second arm of the armature being closely spaced with respect to the first arcuate end surface of the core,

7 t 8 the armature being pivotal throughout a given angle References Cited of pivotal movement, the second arm of the armature UNITED STATES PATENTS being engageable with the engagement surface of the core at one pivotal position of the armature, the arglead t f f th d b 1 it i i Tamer cuae Sl r ace 0 e sewn arm mg at al unes 5 2,449,901 8/1948 Kaiser 310 30 at substantially the same closely spaced position with respect to the first arcuate end surface of the core, and electric conductor means encompassing a portion MILTON HIRSCHFIELD Primary Examiner of the magnetizable core and energizable for mag- J. D. MILLER, Assistant Examiner.

netization thereof. 10 

1. ACTUATOR APPARATUS COMPRISING: A MAGNETIZABLE CORE, THE CORE HAVING A LONGER LEG PORTION AND A SHORTER LEG PORTION, THE LEG PORTIONS BEING SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL AND BEING JOINED BY A CONNECTOR PORTION, THE LONGER LEG PORTION HAVING AN ENGAGEMENT PORTION INTERMEDIATE THE ENDS THEREOF, THE ENGAGEMENT PORTION EXTENDING TOWARD THE SHORTER LEG PORTION, A GENERALLY C-SHAPED MAGNETIZABLE MEMBER PIVOTALLY DISPOSED ADJACENT THE LONGER LEG PORTION AT A POSITION SPACED FROM THE CONNECTOR PORTION OF THE CORE, THE C-SHAPED MAGNETIZABLE MEMBER HAVING A PLURALITY OF PIVOTAL POSITIONS, THE C-SHAPED MAGNETIZABLE MEMBER HAVING AN ARCUATE PORTION ADJACENT THE SHORTER LEG PORTION OF THE MAGNETIZABLE CORE AND SLIGHTLY SPACED THEREFROM IN ALL PIVOTAL POSITIONS OF THE C-SHAPED MAGNETIZABLE MEMBER, THE ARCUATE PORTION OF THE C-SHAPED MAGNETIZABLE MEMBER HAVING AN ENGAGEMENT PART WHICH IS POSITIONABLE ADJACENT THE SHORTER LEG PORTION AT ONE PIVOTAL POSITION OF THE C-SHAPED MAGNETIZABLE MEMBER, THE C-SHAPED MAGNETIZABLE MEMBER BEING PIVOTALLY MOVABLE SO THAT THE ENGAGEMENT PART OF THE ARCUATE PORTION THEREOF ENGAGES THE ENGAGEMENT PORTION OF THE LONGER LEG PORTION, AN ANNULAR COIL OF ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE MATERIAL ENCOMPASSING THE ENGAGEMENT PORTION OF THE LONGER LEG PORTION FOR MAGNETIZATION OF THE CORE, THE END PART OF THE ARCUATE PORTION OF THE C-SHAPED MAGNETIZABLE MEMBER THUS BEING DISPOSED WITHIN THE ANNULAR COIL WHEN THE ENGAGEMENT PART OF THE ARCUATE PORTION OF THE C-SHAPED MAGNETIZABLE MEMBER ENGAGES THE ENGAGEMENT PORTION OF THE LONGER LEG PORTION OF THE MAGNETIZABLE CORE. 